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The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, a multinational trade and investment accord involving eleven Pacific Rim countries other than the US, is seen as a blow to hopes for a freer flow of goods and services in the Asia-Pacific Region. In this analytic brief we look at the potential opportunities presented […]

Boomslang canopy walkway, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa. The terms “political risk” and “sustainable enterprise” are not often associated. They should be. The degree of sustainability of an enterprise has direct and long- term cultural, economic, social and political ramifications for the communities in which it is located. The less sustainable the […]

Political risk assessments are an under appreciated aspect of the due diligence undertaken as part of the process of engaging in cultural, diplomatic or economic exchanges in foreign locations. Most political risk analysis, including country risk assessments, are done by large credit rating agencies and insurance underwriters. Some nations provide country risk assessments […]

David Cunliffe & Selwyn Manning Examine Labour’s Economic Development Plan For New Zealand David-Cunliffe Interview With Selwyn Manning – TriTV – Beatson Interview – September 03 2012. In this interview between Selwyn Manning and Labour’s spokesperson for Economic Development, David Cunliffe, Labour’s economic plan for New Zealand is examined. What would a Labour-led government do […]

Weekly Analysis: Chile’s Pacific Presence Analysis – By Dr Paul G. Buchanan Most attention focused on the South Pacific is directed at its Western fringe, where the majority of inhabitants reside and where, consequently, the political dynamics are the strongest. But the Southeastern Pacific, while underpopulated and lacking in the land masses of its southwestern neighbors, […]

APEC pushes forward 2012 priorities APEC Statement Issued by the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment Singapore, 28 March 2012 – APEC is taking further steps to enhance supply chain performance, improve collaboration on innovation and extend opportunities for more robust economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. That is the aim of a diverse […]

Weekly Analysis: Tonga’s Reform Timeline Ensures A Return To The Past Is Impossible Tonga’s transition from an authoritarian Monarchy-led and appointed government toward a Polynesian-style democracy received a blow of uncertainty with the death of the Late King George Tupou V. Even so, this is unlikely to cause Tonga to return to a state where its […]

Weekly Analysis: Commodities Boom Widens PIF Rift. 36th-Parallel Analysis. In order to understand political dynamics, underlying economic factors often need to be considered. The growing rift within the Pacific Island Forum between the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the Polynesian Leaders Group (PLG) is one such instance. The metals boom preceded the minerals boom, both […]